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I’m yanked from Ty’s embrace and find Jafar scowling down at me.
“She won’t. Come on, Ellie. I have shit to do.”
I shoot Ty an apologetic look as I follow Jafar from the office. Anger vibrates from him as we get into the car. He types on his phone, never glancing my way.
“You were kind of rude to my boss.”
“And you were kind of pathetic.” He sneers.
Hurt spears me.
“Pathetic? How so?”
“Come on, Ellie. You were practically throwing yourself at him.”
“I wasn’t! I don’t even like him likethat.”
“Could have fooled me.” He looks at me this time, and I wish he hadn’t. “Poor Ellie. Always aiming for men you can never have.”
My breath catches, and I turn my head, so I don’t have to meet his gaze. How does he always know what to say to hurt me? And why do I even care?
“You have thirty minutes. I’ll wait in the car,” he says as we arrive at my house.
There’s a part of me that wants to tell him off. To say every mean thing that I’ve ever thought about him. To barb him with my words the same way he barbs me. But what do I do? I scramble from the car without saying a word and am packed and ready to leave exactly thirty minutes later. I don’t even waste time looking at my horoscope because I already know it won’t be anything good.
3
Ellie
I’m almost sick with worry by the time the jet lands in New York City. This is why I don’t do things without planning. The stress isn’t worth it. How am I going to pay my rent since I’m not working? Where am I going to stay while I’m here? Will the money in my savings be enough to tide me over for thirty days? What kind of events will Jasmine drag me to? My mind hashes out every worst-case scenario until my head throbs.
“If you vomit all over my jet, I’m going to be pissed.”
I glare across the aisle. This is the first time he’s spoken to me since we left Kansas, and I’m still mad at him.
“I’m not going to throw up.”
“Having second thoughts already?”
His question unleashes a dam of pent-up worries.
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I should have told Jasmine that I couldn’t help. I wonder how mad she’ll be if I say I’ve changed my mind? And I’m sure Ty will be okay with letting me come back to work.”
“Let me guess. You’re suddenly realizing you don’t know where you’re going to stay or how you’re going to afford to be away from work. Along with a million other things, right?”
I blink. “Basically.”
“Jasmine has arranged for you to stay in a room at one of my smaller hotels.”
“For an entire month?”
There’s no way I can afford to stay in a freaking hotel for thirty days, especially one owned by Jafar. I wonder if there are any hostels in the area? That’s how I traveled when I was in Europe, and it worked out just fine. Well, except for when my bag was stolen, but I know better now. The key is to use your bag as a pillow so no one can take it. Crap. I have three suitcases. How is that going to work in a hostel? Maybe I can—
“Breathe, Ellie. Yes, you’re staying in my hotel for an entire month. It’s being paid through the budget Jasmine was given, plus a discount that I’ve added. You’ll also get a weekly stipend to cover meals.”
I lean back, feeling as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. That means I can use my savings for rent and still have plenty leftover. Thank god.
“Better?”
